Birthday Surprises

AUTHOR: MidnightRosexx

AUTHOR WRITTEN FOR: Solo By Choice

PAIRING: Hermione Granger/ Viktor Krum

SUMMARY: What do you call a man who gives Hermione a thong for her birthday? Unfortunate, no. Stupid and a person with a death wish.... Yes.

"Wake up, Hermione!" Someone was pushing her. Hermione turned to the unknown person. "Viktor Krum is here to see you!" Ginny said, excitedly. Hermione was awake now. She jumped out of her bed, and started rummaging through her clothes. She needed to find something suitable.

Ten minutes later Hermione ran down the stairs of the Burrow. A black haired man came into view. "Herm-own-ninny! How nice it is too be seeing you again!" Hermione beamed, and rushed to hug him.

"It's nice to see you, too, Viktor," she whispered. She and Viktor had only gotten back together a few months ago, but she was thrilled to see him. He and Ron would not get along, however. Ron would still be jealous, even though he was currently going out with a girl from the neighboring town, Jenna.

"I am glad zat I did not arrive too late to be vishing you happy birthday." The sallow skinned man smiled down at her. She smiled back.

"Not at all. You're one day early, actually." She took his hand. "Come on, I'll introduce you to everyone." Hermione led him into the kitchen, where Harry, Ginny, Ron and Mrs. Weasley were sitting around the large wooden table. Harry smiled warmly at the two of them. Ron just glared at Hermione.

"Everyone, this is Viktor Krum." She looked around the table, and then at Viktor.

"It is very nice to be meeting you," he said with his thick Bulgarian accent. "Herm-own-ninny has said much about you." Ron sniggered, clearly amused by Viktor's inability to say Hermione's name correctly. Mrs. Weasley glared at her son, and he immediately stopped.

"Viktor came for my birthday. Wasn't that nice of him?" Ron choked on his bacon. Harry pounded him on the back.

"Y-you're…birthday?" Ron stuttered.

"Vell, yes, I vanted to give her my gift in person." Viktor said, misunderstanding him. Ron's mouth fell open, distress in his eyes. Ginny stared at him, realization dawning on her face.

"You FORGOT her birthday! What kind of idiot are you?" The red haired girl yelled. Ron shrank back in his chair.

"N-not really. I remembered. Sort of. I thought it was next week." Ginny's eyes flashed.

"I am not in the mood to deal with you right now! Come on, Harry. I need some fresh air." She stalked out of the kitchen, closely followed by Harry. Surprisingly, Mrs. Weasley had stayed quiet throughout the whole exchange, but now she stood up. Ron cringed in his chair, expecting her wrath.

"I'm glad you're here, Viktor, dear. It will make Hermione's birthday all the better." Mrs. Weasley then fixed up two heaping plates of eggs and bacon. "Here you go. Eat up!" Ron wolfed down the rest of his eggs, and sprinted out of the room.

Hermione stared after him. "He is jealous?" Viktor asked.

"Yes. He has no reason to be, though." Viktor stared at her thoughtfully. "He has a girlfriend," Hermione explained.

"Oh." Viktor returned to his breakfast, looking reassured. They spent the rest of the day wandering around the muggle village, and catching up. Viktor was extremely interested in a little spinning top they found, exclaiming loudly, "But it must be magic! Look at it spinning!" It was a very pleasant day. Hermione fell asleep very happy.

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The next morning she was jerked awake by a loud crack. Kreacher was at the foot of her bed. Seeing her, he gave a low bow, saying as he did so, "Kreacher is sorry Mistress Granger. He was only wanting to speak to Master. Kreacher thought Master would be wanting to know how his house is doing." Hermione nodded. Kreacher often came to tell Harry how Grimmauld Place was faring.

"Its okay, Kreacher, Harry is in the next room." Kreacher bowed again, and dissaperated. Hermione got out of her bed, wondering why he hadn't just walked over to Harry's room. She pulled on a pink shirt, and some worn blue jeans. She quickly brushed her bushy, brown hair and rushed downstairs.

"Happy Birthday!" Four voices chorused when she reached the kitchen. Mrs. Weasley, Harry, Ginny and Viktor were all smiling at her. Ron maintained a stony silence. Hermione sat down and Mrs. Weasley immediately gave her some sausages and toast.

"Thanks," Hermione said, gratefully.

"Arthur will be here later tonight. So will George and Percy." Mrs. Weasley glanced out of habit toward her clock. All hands pointed to "well." Harry grinned. He had been exceptionally happy since Voldemort's defeat less than a year ago. He insisted that it was because he was done fighting, but Hermione thought Ginny was a large part of it.

As soon as she finished her breakfast, Viktor stood up. "I vas thinking ve could spend ze day in ze orchards?" Hermione nodded, she loved the Weasley's orchards.

"Be back at four for your party, dear." Mrs. Weasley added. Hermione nodded again, and Viktor led her outside. They walked blissfully through the many trees until Viktor looked his watch.

"Ve have to be getting back. It's time for your party." He and Hermione rushed back to the Burrow.

There was a huge table set up outside, with tons of mouthwatering food stacked on it. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Harry, Ginny, Ron, Percy and George were already seated at it, chatting amiably. Mrs. Weasley looked up when Hermione and Viktor arrived.

"Well, everyone, the birthday girl is here! Dig in!" Soon everyone was eating the delicious feast prepared by Mrs. Weasley. When they had all finished, she brought out the cake and presents. After serving everyone a generous helping of cake, she pushed the stack of presents toward Hermione. Viktor nudged her.

"Open mine first." Hermione searched for a package with his messy scribble on it. She found the small, violet wrapped parcel and opened it. Hermione gasped. A single white rose lay in her hands. "It vill never vilt, break, or damage in any way. Say your name to it," Krum whispered.

Hermione obeyed, and immediately a soft, lilting song filled the air. It reminded her of phoenix song, in that it seemed to come from inside her. She said her name again, and the music stopped. Hermione flung her arms around Viktor's neck.

"It's wonderful! Thank you!" He smiled, pleased by her reaction. Turning to the pile of presents again, she picked out one at random. It was from Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, and contained a set of books entitled Histories of the Magical World. Hermione thanked them, she had really wanted that series.

The next present was from Harry. It was an exquisite quill. The note inside read, so you can always write, wherever you are. Ginny gave her a package of Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans, and some chocolate frogs. George gave her some joke shop merchandise, and Percy gave her another book, called How to Survive at the Ministry. Hermione was almost crying at the thoughtfulness of everyone. At last there was only one present left.

It was poorly wrapped in brown paper. Scrawled on its wrappings was: To Hermione, From Ron. She unwrapped the tiny package and found…

"A thong? You gave me a thong?!" Hermione held up the lacy, black thing, shaking it in Ron's face. "It's not even the right size!" Ginny grabbed it from her, Harry watching its progress avidly.

"Of course it's not the right size!" Ginny exclaimed, "It's mine!" Harry's eyes widened at the surprising revelation.

"Why are you so upset?" Ron asked, rather stupidly. Hermione was livid.

"Maybe if you didn't have a brain full of rackspurts and the emotional range of a teaspoon, you'd understand why I'm upset!" she screeched. Viktor put a comforting arm around her.

"It's a good present!" Ron protested. "I would like it." The whole table stared at him, understanding on their faces. "And so would Jenna!" He tacked on, a little slowly.

"You ass, Ron. Did you even think at all when you reached into my closet?" Ginny yelled. Harry was still staring at the offending thong.

"Yes!" Ron lied. Hermione got up, and Viktor followed, rather belatedly.

"I hate you, Ronald Weasley! If I ever have to see you again, I will kill myself!" Hermione shrieked. With that, she dissaperated, Viktor along with her.

"See what you did?" Ginny said to Ron. "You are so stupid." She glared at him.

"Why haven't I ever seen you wear that?" Harry finally asked. Ginny slapped him.

It was a bad night for everyone.